Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's 400 metres

The men's 400 metres was an Olympic event for the fourth time at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The competition was held originally scheduled from July 21, 1908 to July 23, 1908. The rerun of the final was held on July 25, 1908. The races were held on a track of 536.45 metres=frac|1|3 mile in circumference.

37 runners from ten nations competed.

It was the most controversial event of the London Games. The final resulted in the disqualification of American runner John C. Carpenter, who had blocked British athlete Wyndham Halswelle in a maneuver that was legal under American rules but prohibited by the British rules under which the race was run.

As part of the disqualification of Carpenter, a second final race was ordered. Halswelle was to face the other two finalists again. These men, William Robbins and John Taylor, were both Americans and decided not to contest the repeat of the final to protest the judges' decision. Halswelle was thus the only medallist in the 400 metres.

Medallists

Heat 2

There were no starters for the second heat.

Heat 3

Ryle had no competition in the third heat.

Heat 6

Eight yards separated the two runners when Malfait crossed the line.

Heat 9

Ramey's victory was one of the closest of the first round, with only a yard and a half separating him from Astley.

Heat 12

Heat 15

Semifinal 2

Halswelle broke the Olympic record in the semifinal.

Final

The final was initially held on July 23, 1908. After the disqualification of Carpenter, the second running of the final was scheduled for July 25.

First running

The first final ended with Robbins finishing first, Carpenter following him, Halswelle in third, and Taylor at the back. Roscoe Badger, one of the British umpires of the event, noticed Carpenter maneuvering so as to prevent Halswelle from passing the two leading Americans. This was legal at the time under the American rules under which Carpenter normally competed, but prohibited by the British rules that were in effect for the Olympics. Badger signalled to the judges to declare the race void. At the official inquiry later that day, the judges upheld the disqualification of Carpenter and ordered a second final to be run with Carpenter excluded.

Second running

While Carpenter was permitted to start in the rerun, Robbins and Taylor refused to run the second final, protesting the decision by the judges. Halswelle ran the 400 metres by himself, finishing in 50 seconds. His win is the one and only walkover win in Olympic track and field history.

References

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